THE INQUEST.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 111, 7 May 1881, Page 2

THE INQUEST.

The correspondent of the Chnatohnrob Press thus telegraphed the proceedings at the inquest : — Mr, McCulloeh, coroner, from Inver. cargill, got to Otara shortly after mid-day. Arrangements were at once made to hold an inquest. The jury were chosen from a few of the residents of the locality (Messrs. Brunton, Attwood, & Co.), and from Borne of nhe Invercargill visitors (Messrs. Hodges, Kingsland, and others). The first witness was Bobert lindsay, who deposed — I was chief officer of the Tararua. She left Dunedin on Thursday evening. I had the watch from six to eight. The captain was on deck going out of the Heads. I again took charge at midnight, and stayed on deck till 4 a.m. The captain told me to call him at a quarter to four. I did so, and he came on deck. I was steering W.S.W., and he told me to continue that course. At four o'clock the course was altered to W., and I went below. The captain gave ordera to alter the course. The land was in sight at four o'clock. I reckoned we were about five miles to the eastward of Waipapa Point, at the time I went below. The course being altered brought the vessel further in shore. I was awoke by the vessel striking at a quarter past five. The captain was giving orders to call all hands to clear away the boats. We cleared them all away, and hung them to the davit heads. We then! waited till daylight to see about landing. The boats were all lifeboats, two having lifeboat fenders in them.

To jurymen and to Inspector Buckley — Some of the passengers tried to get into the boats as they were hanging to the davits, but the captain ordered them out. They -were all males. I saw the body of a woman who came ashore on Saturday. I know I have seen her on board. I fancy she was a saloon passenger. She had no rings on. A man came ashore on Friday evening. He was swimming- with a lifebuoy. He was greatly knocked about by the breakers, and got senseless amongst ■ them. He was eight or .ten minutes amongst the breakers. We tried to restore him, but failed. I judge we were fifteen miles from where we struck when I went below at four o'clock, and goin£ ten or ten and a quarter knots an hour. I hold a master's certificate. I was well acquainted with the coast, and considered the vessel to be the usual distance off the const when I left the deck. The two bodies found to-day I also recognise as those of passengers who were on board. I do not know their' names. Ido not think the captain did wrong in altering her course. It was hazy on the land. It was a bright starlight night, with a haze on the horizon. "We . passed the Nuggets at 12 o'clock, about four .miles off. I think we were five miles off the land when I went down, or from' four to five. If a W.S.W. course had been kept, the accident would not have happened. The course was altered at the usual time, but the ship might have overrun herself, or the" reverse. Ifc was about one o'cloojy when I began to think the vessel miglr' break up. Ido not think : it would have? been prudent to send the boats to sea with the passengers. Edward. Maloney, second mate, repeated the same statement^! sent yesterday, as to what occurred up till the vessel struck. To Inspector Buckley — As far as \

, . \- .\ ;...-.,' p<>n.-Vi ;p wft-5 Join 1 frr the safety ol the passengers after the vessel struck. Captain Garrard did everything he could to procure the safe despatch of the pfisseugers from the ship by seeing that the boats were properly got off, and that the boat crews were put in them. There was confusion when she

Struck, but the captain did all he could to

give the people confidence. To jurymen — It is a very difficult thing to 6ay how far the land is off when there is a haze. When I took charge I could not tell how far the land was away. The Bhip was steered the usual course ; in fact, - she was steered a little out rather than anything else, because of the heavy swell setting in. I consider the captain was justified in altering the course. I presume the captain thought we had passed Waipapa Point when he changed the course to west. I supposed that the vessel had, and the captain was more positive than me about it, that the ship - Was past Waipapa Point. I think where We^ struck was four miles from Waipapa Point. When I thought I heard breakers, and rushed aft, I found the captain working at his chart in his chart room.

A juryman — Can you form any idea what caused the vessel to|fetch the reef ?—? — I suppose it must have been the heavy set of the swell. # Did you hear any ladies appealing to Che captain to save them ? — I did not.

Had yon power to order the engine r to reverse tbe engines when you fancied you saw breakers ? — Certainly I had ; but even had I then done so, I am sure we would have gone on the reef. But I only fencied 1 saw breakers. In my opinion a light is necessary on Waipapa Point. 1 have heard masters say they thought so.

Tho chief mate informed the jury that suggestions had been made to the authorities to place a light there.

THE VERDICT.

At the inquest a verdict of " Found drowned " was returned. The jury added ft rider that a light should be placed on Waipapa Point, as three vessels have been wreoked there.

The evidence taken at the inquest exonerates Captain Garrard from all blame.

The passengers saved all agree that there were a number of people on the Tararaa who had not booked at any office, bat intended to pay on board ; therefore it is impossible to get at the exact number of those on board ; but taking the lowest calculation, there must have been 100 drowned, -while soxne make the number 125. It is thought there were nearly 70 in the steerage.